Wallboard construction

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a type of wallboard construction wherein the butt joint between adjacent panels is formed between, rather than on, the joists. The abutting edges are secured by a clip designed to bias the edges inwardly between the joists. The resulting depression can be built up flush with the wall surface, thereby avoiding the ridge which normally results from taping edges abutting upon a joist.

United States Patent Paoletti 1 July 11, 1972 54] WALLBOARD CONSTRUCTION l,86l,740 6/l932 Ellis ..s2/44s [72] Inventor: John P. PM, 306 Buddington Road, FOREIGN PATENTS 0 APPLICATIONS Huntington, Conn. 06484 F [187,947 2/[962 rance .$2/4l7 [221 574,242 12/1945 Great Britain ..s2/ss4 21 Appl. No.: 23,575 6,7l5,49l 5/1968 Netherlands ..s2/ss2 Primary xanu'nerJohn E. Murtagh [52] US. Cl. 52/122, 52/4" 5| 1 in. CI. .1204 2/10 [$8] Fldtl of Sela-eh ..5Z/4l6, 417, $82, 360, 520,

There is disclosed a type of wallboard construction wherein [56] Rdm CM the butt joint between adjacent panels is formed between, rather than on. the joists. The abutting edges are secured by a UNITED STATES PATENTS clip designed to bias the edges inwardly between the joists. 2,379,179 6/l945 Petersen ..$2/282 The resulting depmion can be built up flush with the wall 2. 96. 2 I957 surface, thereby avoiding the ridge which normally results 3,2l0,808 10/ I965 [mm taping edges abutting upon a joist. 3,144.733 8/l964 2,258,574 l0/l94l SCIIImdDnWlngflguns WALLBOARD CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to the construction arts and, more particularly, to the construction of walls and ceilings using wallboard panels. These panels are usually rectangular a standard size, for example, being 4 X 12 feet. The surfaces along the longer edges are usually recessed for receiving tape. Thus, the finished wall surface along these edges is normally smooth and flat. The shorter edges, however, are not so recessed, nor are the edges which result from cutting the panels on the job. It has been customary in the art to butt these edges on a joist to which both panels can be secured by nailing or adhesive. Subsequent taping and finishing, however, form a ridge which is particularly noticeable under conditions of oblique lighting.

It has been proposed in the past to obviate this problem by forming the joint between joists while bending the ends of the panels inwardly at the joint to form a depression which can then be built out to the wall surface. However, this requires a two-step process including the construction of a back block" between joists to which adhesive is applied. The panels are then installed and the abutting edges pressed inwardly against the adhesive until it sets.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a simplified wall or ceiling construction which eliminates the ridge formed at butt joints. Other objects are to provide such a construction which employs inexpensive clips which are readily installed on the job. Other objects, features, and advantages will be readily apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a ceiling or wall construction comprising a plurality of supports arranged in spaced, substantially parallel, relationship. A plurality of wallboard panels are secured to these supports in substantially coplanar, abutting, edge to edge relationship, at least some of the abutting edges being disposed intermediate the supports. Clip means are provided which engage the intermediate edges and bias them inwardly between the supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ceiling constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross section, taken substantially along the line 2-2 ofFlG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a clip in accordance with this invention, partially broken away to illustrate details of construction; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 ofa modified clip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a ceiling construction in accordance with this invention comprising the usual joists a e. Secured to the joists by nails I2 are conventional wallboard panels 14a d. Although the panels are illustrated in FIG. 2 as being nailed to the joists, they may also be secured by adhesive or any other suitable means.

In conventional ceiling or wall construction care is taken to insure that the butt joint between panels falls on a joist. In accordance with the present invention, however, the joint is formed between joists, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The joint is formed by means of clip 16. The clip is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3, as formed of sheet metal. However, it will be understood that other suitably rigid materials could also be used such as, for example, plastic. The illustrated clip is formed initially as two channel members, each having a long leg 18a, b and a short leg 200, b, and connecting portions which are suitably spot welded as at 22 to form a unitary central web 24. The width of central web 24 is proportional to standard wallboard thicknesses in order that the edges of the panels may be readily received by the channels.

It is quite important to note that the long legs 18a, b do not form right angles with the central web 24 but are, instead, bent inwardly to form acute angles therewith. This creates a bias which bends both panels to form a depression between the joints 10 which may then be built out as at 26 in FIG. 2 to form a level surface with the remainder of the ceiling or wall.

The use of the clip of this invention is quite simple. Assume, for example, that panel 14a is first installed, as by nailing or adhesive, with its front edge at approximately the center line between joists 10b, 10c as illustrated in FIG. 2. The clip 16 is mounted on the butt edge with the angled long leg IBa on the inner surface. The butt edge of panel 14b is then inserted into the opposite channel and panel 14b is similarly secured to joists 10. The biasing action of the angled legs 18a, 18b creates a slight flexing action in the panels, causing the joint and clip 16 to be offset inwardly as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 4 there is illustrated a modified clip 28 which is quite similar to clip 16. However, it is provided with suitable openings 30. This clip is designed to be adhesively secured to the abutting edges of the panels, the adhesive thereupon filling the openings 30 to provide more secure attachment.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that all the ob jectives of this invention are attained by means of the disclosed clip and construction. It will also be apparent that a number of variations and modifications may be made in this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. The clip, for example, need not necessarily extend along the entire length of the panel edge and one or more shorter clips may be appropriately spaced along the joint. Also, the legs need not be continuous but may be relieved or otherwise spaced along the length of the clip. Various other variations and modifications will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only, rather than limiting. This invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A wallboard construction comprising: a plurality of supports arranged in spaced, substantially parallel, relationship; a plurality of wallboard panels having inner and outer sides secured to said supports with said inner sides against said supports in substantially coplanar, abutting, edge to edge relationship, at least some of the abutting edges being disposed intermediate said supports; and clip means engaging said inter mediate edges for biasing said edges inwardly between said supports, each of said clip means having first and second oppositely facing channel members, each of said channel members including an outer leg and an inner leg, said inner leg being spaced from said outer leg by a central web and forming an acute angle with said central web.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein the outer sides of said wall panels adjacent said intermediate edges are built out from said inwardly biased edges to form a substantially planar surface.

3. The construction of claim 1, wherein said clip means are adhesively secured to said abutting edges.

4. The construction of claim 3 wherein said clip means define adhesive-receiving openings therein.

5. The construction of claim I wherein said outer legs are short relative to said inner legs. 

1. A wallboard construction comprising: a plurality of supports arranged in spaced, substantially parallel, relationship; a plurality of wallboard panels having inner and outer sides secured to said supports with said inner sides against said supports in substantially coplanar, abutting, edge to edge relationship, at least some of the abutting edges being disposed intermediate said supports; and clip means engaging said intermediate edges for biasing said edges inwardly between said supports, each of said clip means having first and second oppositely facing channel members, each of said channel members including an outer leg and an inner leg, said inner leg being spaced from said outer leg by a central web and forming an acute angle with said central web.
 2. The construction of claim 1 wherein the outer sides of said wall panels adjacent said intermediate edges are built out from said inwardly biased edges to form a substantially planar surface.
 3. The construction of claim 1, wherein said clip means are adhesively secured to said abutting edges.
 4. The construction of claim 3 wherein said clip means define adhesive-receiving openings therein.
 5. The construction of claim 1 wherein said outer legs are short relative to said inner legs. 